Log handling device



5am, 3U 3958 F. E. WKLKERSON 5 m LOG HANDLING DEVICE Filed Sept. 21, 1956 Fenian E. Wi/iwrsan IN VENTOR.

United States Patent LOG HANDLHNG DEVICE Fenton E. Wilkerson, Pendleton, Oreg.

Application September 21, 1956, Serial No. 611,115

9 Claims. (Cl. 24--82) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in logging devices, and more specifically to a device for engagement with a log for the purpose of rolling the log.

After the logs have been cut, a tractor is moved through the woods on roads formed therethrough and the individual logs are snaked out of the woods by the tractor, using its winches and cables, the cables being commonly referred to as chokers. In order that the logs may be moved out of the woods with the tractor, it is necessary that the choker be passed under and around the log so as to grip the log. However, in many instances the logs are so tightly seated on the ground that it is impossible to pass the choker beneath the log. As a result, it is necessary to dig a hole under a log in order that a knob of the shoker may be passed beneath the log. In fact, in certain instances it is necessary to use a small quantity of dynamite to blow a hole under the log. Not only is this practice time-consuming, but it is also expensive.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a log handling device which is in the form of a cant for the purpose of rolling logs onto chokers so that the necessity of digging holes under the logs is eliminated.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved log handling device in the form of a hook assembly which is engageable with a log for the purpose of rolling the log, the hitch assembly being provided with a bell at one end for engagement with a knob of the choker whereby a second choker may be used to roll a log over on the first choker whereby the log may be moved by the first choker.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved log handling device which includes an elongated shank having a bell at one end thereof for attachment to a choker knob and a suitable hook at the other end thereof for engagement with a log whereby a choker temporarily provided with the log handling device may be used for rolling the logs as is desired.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through a log and shows the log in the process of being rolled over and into a choker, utilizing the log handling device which is the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the log handling device and shows further the details thereof;

Figure 3 is an underside view of the log handling device and shows generally the details of the bell thereof and the relationship of the bell with respect to a knob of the choker; and

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken through ice an end portion of the bell and shows the relationship of the choker knob with respect to the bell, also being illustrated the details of a handle or hand hole for moving the log handling device.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the log handling device which is the subject of this invention, the log handling device being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The log handling device 10 includes an elongated shank 12 which is arcuate and which curves downwardly, as is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. It is to be noted that the curvature of the shank 12 increases from one end to the other slightly.

In order that the log handling device 10 may be readily engaged with a log, there is. provided at one end of the shank 12 on the underside thereof a point 14. The point 14 may be of any suitable construction, although a triangular shaped plate is preferred. The point 14 is of a sufficient sharpness so as to facilitate the engagement thereof with the log.

It is intended that the log handling device 10 be used in conjunction wih a choker. Accordingly, there is provided at the opposite end of the shank 12 a bell 16. The bell 16 is preferably in the form of a casting which has formed in the underside thereof an intermediate entrance opening 18 and a knob receiving socket 20 at the end thereof remote from the shank 12. The opposite end of the bell 16 is in the form of a pair of spaced flanges 22 which have disposed therebetween an enlarged end portion 24 of the shank 12. The end portion 24 is pivotally connected to the flanges 22 by means of a pivot pin 26.

in order that the log handling device 10 may be readily transported from one log to another, there is provided on the bell 16 a handle or hand hole 28. The handle 28 is normally separately formed from the bell 16 and is suitably secured thereto by fastening means such as welding 30. It is to be noted that the handle 28 is secured to the flanges 22. The handle 28 facilitates the carrying of the log handling device 10 and the positioning thereof on a log.

In order that the point 14 may be readily set, the shank 12 is provided at the end thereof adjacent the point 14 with a foot plate 32. The plate 32 extends upwardly from the shank 12, whereas the point 14 projects downwardly therefrom.

Referring now to Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated the log handling device 10 in use. The log handling device 10 is attached to a choker, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 34 and is operated thereby. The choker 34 includes a cable portion 36 which terminates at the end thereof in the knob 38.

it is desired to roll the log 40 over a knob 42 of a choker 44 so that the log 41) overlies the cable portion 46 thereof. In order to accomplish this, the log handling device 10 is positioned on the log 40 in the position illustrated in Figure 1 and is firmly set by holding onto the handle 23 and pushng on the foot plate 32, at the same time tensioning the choker 34. After the point 14 is initially dug into the log 49, the person handling the log handling device 10 then steps away from the log 4i"), and the choker cable 34 is drawn in until the log 44) rolls over the knob 42. Then the choker 44 may be attached to the log 40 in the conventional manner and the log 40 snaked out of the woods by the tractor.

When the log handling device 10 is not in use, it may be transported on the tractor merely by hanging the log handling device on the tractor at some convenient point, utilizing either the handle 28 or the point 14. The log handling device 10 has an auxiliary use in that the point 14 may be engaged over a bumper or a portion of the frame of a truck which is stuck and a choker may then be attached thereto for the purpose of pulling the truck or other vehicle. V

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A log handling device comprising an elongated shank, a depending point at one end of said shank for contact with a log, said point being rigid relative to said shank, a bell for engaging a choker cable knob, said bell being disposed at the opposite end of said shank and said bell providing a second contact point with a log.

2. A log handling device comprising an elongated shank, a depending point at one end of said shank for contact with a log, said point being rigid relative to said shank, a bell for engaging a choker cable knob, said bell being disposed at the opposite end of said shank said bell providing a second contact point with a log, and means pivotally connecting said shank to said bell.

3. A log handling device comprising an elongated shank, a depending point at one end of said shank for contact with a log, said point being rigid relative to said shank, a bell for engaging a choker cable knob, said bell being disposed at the opposite end of said shank said bell providing a second contact point with a log, said shank being curved and opening downwardly in the direction of said point.

4. A log handling device comprising an elongated shank, a depending point at one end of said shank for contact with a log, said point being rigid relative to said shank, a bell for engaging a choker cable knob, said bell being disposed at the opposite end of said shank said bell providing a second contact point'with a log, a foot engageable plate on said shank at said one end, said plate extending in a generally opposite direction from said point. 7

5. A log handling device comprising an elongated shank, 21 depending point at one end of said shank for contact with a log, said point being rigid relative to said shank a bell for engaging a choker cable knob, said bell being disposed at the opposite end of said shank said bell providing a second contact point with a log, a handle on said bell for positioning said device.

6. A log handling device comprising an elongated shank, a depending point at one end of said shank for contact with a log, said point being rigid relative to said shank, a bell for engaging a choker cable knob, said bell being disposed at the opposite end of said shank said bell providing a second contact point with a log, and means pivotally connecting said shank to said bell, said shank being curved and opening downwardly .in the direction of said point.

7. A log handling device comprising an elongated shank, a depending point at one end of said shank for contact with a log, said point being rigid relative to said shank, a bell for engaging a choker cable knob, said bell being disposed at the opposite end of said shank said bell providing a second contact point with a log, and means pivotally connecting said shank to said bell, said shank being .curved and opening downwardly in the direction of said point, a foot engageable plate on said shank at said one end, .said plate extending in a generally opposite direction from said point.

8. A log handling device comprising an elongated shank, a depending point at one end of said shank for contact with a log, said point being rigid relative to said shank, a bell for engaging a choker cable knob, said bell being disposed at the opposite end of said shanksaid bell providing a second contact point with a log, a foot engageable plate on said shank at said one end, said plate extending in a generally opposite direction from said'point, a handle on said bell for positioning said device. A i

9. A log handling device comprising an elongated shank, a depending point at one end of said shank for contact with a log, said point being rigid relative to said shank, a bell for engaging a choker cable knob, said bell being disposed at the opposite end of said shank, said bell providing a second contact point with a log, means pivotally connecting said shank with said bell, said shank being curved and opening downwardly in the direction of said point, a foot-engageable plate on said shank at said one end, said plate extending in a generally opposite direction from said point, and a handle on said bell for positioning said device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

